AT A MEETING of the ANDOVER AND WESTERN HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY MEMBERS PANEL held at The Guildhall, Andover on Thursday, 6 March 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); A.G. Dowden; Dr. J.G.L. Wall; M.J. Woodhall

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: R.J. Bailey; D.G.C. Roach; J.E. Taylor

15. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their personal interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, any declaration to be made at the time of the debate.

16. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

17. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no issues arising under this item.

18. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

19. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the revised integrated transport programme for 2002/03; the new programme for 2003/04 and proposed reassessment of schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme.

It was reported that as monies could no longer be transferred from one financial year to the next the 2002/03 programmes for the area transport strategies had been set at a high level, in the knowledge that some schemes would be delayed, so as to enable the spending target to be achieved. It would therefore be necessary for some schemes to be deferred until 2003/04 and beyond. Members were therefore asked to indicate their preferred priority schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme. It was agreed that priority should be given to the following schemes:-

(i) Charlton Road/Foxcotte Road traffic management scheme.


(ii) Cycle and pedestrian schemes.


RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That the Andover Transport Strategy and Western Hampshire Transport Strategy schemes for 2004/05 and beyond be considered as part of the county-wide review of Transport Strategy Areas to be presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 9 July 2003.

20. PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided a progress update on key traffic management schemes within the Andover Transport Strategy and the Western Hampshire Transport Strategy areas.

(i) Weyhill Road Traffic Management Scheme

Work in connection with statutory undertakings had begun. Implementation of the scheme would commence in April/May 2003. It was anticipated that works would be complete within four to six months.


(ii) Charlton Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road Traffic Management Scheme

Implementation of the scheme had been delayed from 2002/03 to 2004/05 and beyond due to a review of the Capital Programme prioritisation. It was intended to finalise feasibility design work, but not to commence detailed design work until a new start date had been agreed.


(iii) Andover Cycling Network - Priority Schemes

Implementation dates for the Andover cycling network had been delayed to 2004/05 and beyond. Detailed design work on all six priority schemes, including those previously prioritised as the top three sections, Floral Way, Railway Station to Junction Road and Kiel Drive to Saxon Way would continue. Alternative funding opportunities through the Safer Routes budget and external contributions are to be explored.


(iv) London Road/Vigo Road Traffic Management Scheme

Funding previously allocated for 2002/03 for the scheme had been delayed to 2004/05 and beyond. A revised start date was likely to be linked with the timing of forthcoming development proposals and associated external funding.


(v) Andover to Salisbury Quality Bus Partnership

New infrastructure was to be provided at nine bus stops along the route. Implementation had been programmed for March 2003.


(vi) Stockbridge and Test Valley School

A pedestrian refuge was to be provided in Stockbridge village centre at a cost of £9,000.

Test Valley School were in the process of applying for planning permission and lottery funding for a new sports hall. Highway works in the locality would be progressed following outcomes of the above.


(vii) Clatford, Shipton Bellinger and Hatherden Primary School

These schemes would now be considered as part of the county-wide Safer Routes to School programme and prioritised from 2003/04 onwards. Clatford Primary School had completed a school travel plan. Shipton Bellinger and Hatherden Primary Schools had yet to begin.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

21. WESTERN HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT STRATEGY - CONSULTATION AND REVISED STRATEGY

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which detailed comments received on the Strategy and changes made as a result. There were four key issues which arose during consultation:

(i) the lack of a detailed programme for Western Hampshire within the Strategy document;


(ii) the need for more information on `Cango';


(iii) the requirement for non-leisure cycling to be addressed; and


(iv) the inclusion of detail on lorry routeing in the area


Following consultation the Strategy document had been updated and amended to incorporate suggestions raised.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised to approve the revised Transport Strategy for Western Hampshire

22. CANGO - RURAL BUS CHALLENGE FUND

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress of the progress of the new Cango demand-responsive services which were launched in Test Valley on 28 June 2002 as part of the County Council's new approach to provide transport in rural areas of Hampshire. The service had been introduced following a successful bid to the Government's Rural Bus Challenge Fund in 2000. Unlike conventional services which operated along fixed routes, Cango was more flexible, travelling where required within a wide area north and east of Andover. Early indications showed that the services provided were proving very successful and in some cases was leading to capacity problems which had led to a need for additional services. Although encouraging, some of the services, in particular the Andover Rail link, had experienced problems due to difficulties with integration of bus and rail journeys.

It was agreed that continued monitoring would be required as well as a second round of advertising to ensure that services would meet the needs of rural passengers. It is now hoped to introduce further Cango services in other areas of Hampshire, subject to successful bids for future funding. A report would be brought to the next meeting of the Panel to keep Members informed of progress.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

23. ANDOVER HIGH STREET - UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Planning Services (Test Valley Borough Council) (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on the proposed implementation of improvements to Andover High Street. Since the last meeting of the Panel a letter in response to the Public Inquiry Inspector's report had been received from the Government Office for the South East (GOSE). It was proposed to make an Order with modifications to allow Royal Mail vehicles access and hackney carriage drivers to collect and set down disabled passengers in the High Street.

Further stages were required in the development of a detailed schedule. It may be necessary for additional funding to be sought due to delays leading to an increase of costs for the scheme. Proposal would be brought forward for full consideration by Members at a later date.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

24. DECRIMINALISATION PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Planning Services (Test Valley Borough Council) (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which updated on progress made on the proposed implementation of a Special Parking Area to decriminalise parking enforcement in Test Valley.




RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

25. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held on Thursday 16 October 2003 at 2.00 p.m. at The Guildhall, Andover.

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